buying your own woods

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Dec 30, 2016
2
0
berkshire
Any one had any experience or views on buying a piece of woodland from one of the specialist companies that sells woodland, been thinking about getting some land but not sure? If its money well spent or just a bit of a con.
 

Leshy

Full Member
Jun 14, 2016
2,389
57
Wiltshire
Any one had any experience or views on buying a piece of woodland from one of the specialist companies that sells woodland, been thinking about getting some land but not sure? If its money well spent or just a bit of a con.
Woodlands.co.uk are legitimate.
I don't know about any others but I can't see it being a con.


The legalities and obligations for the land owner/buyer , and pros and cons of owning a woodland are a different matter all together.

If I had the money , I most certainly would invest in one, but that's just my opinion and maybe a romantic view of my ambitions.

There are much more experienced folk here that own woodlands in the UK and will , no doubt, give better advice and explain the process much better than I could.
👍
 

didicoy

Full Member
Mar 7, 2013
541
12
fens
You really have to consider the future management of the woodland, your expectations and what you intend using it for. This should determine the size and type of woodland you buy.
Remember this!
Should you fall on hard times. Injury, loss of employment and require state benefits to get you through a period of illness or unemployment. Your woodland will be classed as assets. So any means tested benefits will be reduced or unavailable for the period of ownership.
Public liability insurance should also be considered, especially if it's local to urban settlements or has any public rights if way over it or close by.
Management can become very costly if disease or storm damage should occur in large scale.
There is normally restrictions to the amount of timber that can be felled for removal and a type of planning permission (felling licence) could be required. Some trees may have a TPO on them or a protected species of flora or fauna within the woodland may restrict activities at a time of year or area within the woodland.
The seller may have placed some limitations e.g. Dividing, developing, selling restrictions imposed by law on the woodland to be sold.
We have far too many unmanaged and neglected woodlands throughout the Country. It may pay to rent or manage for the use of.
 

boatman

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Feb 20, 2007
2,444
4
78
Cornwall
I decided never to buy woodland overlooking a public road because of the problem of overhanging trees and falling timber. Ours is hidden nicely behind two other lots that seem never to be visited and to the north of us is a piece owned by a couple in Canada, it seems. What is wrong with having a wood just to be? Bit of a fire and a drink.listen to the birds, maybe see a couple of deer.

Then there is the camping and the archery and raw materials for bows and coracles. It is even fun planning and replanning a shelter (permitted by Forestry regs because a tool store is necessary) just cannot decide whether it should look like a a Stone Age one etc or an Early English mini hall. May never build one as tarps are so useful though. Of course all woods will differ and so will motives for ownership but if you don't need the cash immediately buy wisely and appreciation will pay better than Bank Rate.
 

Pioneer72

Tenderfoot
Aug 30, 2016
57
0
Shropshire
The 'specialist' website based sales are often quite a bit more expensive per acre and they often say the price is not negotiable so you can't make offers unless its the asking price, which comes across as a bit of a fix to me.

Check your local land and property agents too especially the ones that do a lot of farmland, as woodland is a recognised category of agricultural property.
 

Janne

Sent off - Not allowed to play
Feb 10, 2016
12,330
2,294
Grand Cayman, Norway, Sweden
While living in Mayfield village I bought a field with attached woodland. So I could have some fun with my son there.
Well worth the expense!
Cost? Depends on where in UK, if there are any sheds/buildings on it.

If you are interested in improving the value, check out old maps of the land, and see if there are any remains of buildings.
 
Dec 30, 2016
2
0
berkshire
Thanks for the info i think i will go for it, a lot of money but its better than sitting in the bank doing nothing, just got to find the right place now.
 

Dave

Hill Dweller
Sep 17, 2003
6,019
9
Brigantia
I forget now, but some of these better known specialist companies have clauses best avoided, sorry I cant be of more information, but Ive read that somewhere.
 

slowworm

Full Member
May 8, 2008
2,011
970
Devon
I forget now, but some of these better known specialist companies have clauses best avoided, sorry I cant be of more information, but Ive read that somewhere.

The ones I've seen are more likely to protect you rather than harm. For example, if you want some peaceful camping you don't want to be next to a busy clay shoot or banger racing.

An example of the clauses: http://www.woodlands.co.uk/buying-a-wood/covenant/
 
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boatman

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Feb 20, 2007
2,444
4
78
Cornwall
Why do people make vague references to the disadvantages of specialist woodlot sellers that aren't actually true rather than find out the facts. There are companies that make suggestions of vast profits from developing land but these are different.
 
Nov 17, 2012
4
0
Yorkshire
Occasionally the canal and river trust sell pockets of woodland with canal frontage.

Nearly tempted once. Many of the woodlands for sale are often near busy roads.
 

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